Using Airplane Mode Speeds Up Charging – Fact or Fiction?
Charging your phone can be a frustratingly slow process, especially when you're in a hurry. However, there are several strategies to speed up this process, with one of the most effective methods being the use of Airplane Mode.
Does Using Airplane Mode Speed Up Charging?
Using Airplane Mode can significantly speed up the charging time of your phone. Here's why and how it works:
How Airplane Mode Affects Charging
When your phone is in its normal mode, it continuously uses cellular, Bluetooth, radio, and Wi-Fi features, which consume battery power even while charging. By enabling Airplane Mode, you turn off these power-draining features, allowing your phone to focus solely on charging.
Quantifying the Speed Increase
According to Verizon, putting your phone in Airplane Mode can charge it four times faster than charging it normally. However, this does not mean it will charge from 0% to 100% in a quarter of the time. Instead, it saves you a few minutes. For example, if it usually takes about four hours to fully charge your phone, using Airplane Mode could bring that down to around one hour.
Real-World Savings
In practical terms, enabling Airplane Mode results in a charging time that is approximately four to eleven minutes faster than charging your phone normally. While this may not seem like a lot, it can be significant if you're in a rush.
Other Tips to Enhance Charging Speed
While Airplane Mode is a powerful tool for faster charging, there are other strategies you can combine with it to maximize your charging speed:
Use a Wall Charger
Wall chargers have a stronger electrical output compared to USB ports, making them ideal for faster charging. Stick with name-brand chargers, such as those from Apple or Samsung, for the best results.
Turn Off Your Display
Turning off your phone's display while charging can also boost your charging speed. Tests have shown that a phone with its display turned off charges about 83% faster than one with the display on.
Avoid Using Your Phone While Charging
Using your phone for intensive activities like gaming or streaming while it's charging can significantly slow down the charging process. It's best to avoid using your phone during this time to ensure the fastest charging possible.
Consider Low Power Mode
If you need to use your phone while it's charging and can't enable Airplane Mode, turning on Low Power Mode can be a good alternative. This mode reduces your device's workload by switching off non-essential background functions and dimming the screen brightness.
Additional Considerations
- Temperature: High temperatures can slow down charging and drain your battery faster. Ensure your phone is in a room-temperature environment to optimize charging speed.
- High-Wattage Chargers: Using high-wattage chargers, such as rapid chargers from third-party companies like Anker, can also significantly speed up your charging time.
By combining these strategies, you can optimize your phone's charging speed and reduce the time you spend waiting for your device to charge.